De las Sagradas Analectas de Confucio, Capítulo 13

Tsze-lu asked about government. The Master said, “Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.”He requested further instruction, and was answered, “Be not weary in these things.”The Master said, “Though a man may be able to recite the three hundred odes, yet if, when entrusted with a governmental charge, he knows not how to act, or if, when send to any quarter on a mission, he cannot give his replies unassisted, notwithstanding the extent of his learning, of what practical use is it?”The Master said, “When a prince’s personal conduct is correct, his government is effective without the issuing of orders. If his personal conduct is not correct, he may issue orders, but they will not be followed.”The Master said, “If a minister makes his own conduct correct, what difficulty will he have in assisting in government? If he cannot rectify himself, what has he to do with rectifying others?”The Duke of Sheh asked about government. The Master said, “Good government obtains when those who are near are made happy and those who are far off are attracted.”